Pattaya 2004 elections heating up as

candidates scramble for votes

Polls open on March 27

At
the end of official registration on Saturday, February 21, a total of eight
candidates for mayor and a further 88 from the 6 electorates for a seat on the
city council registered for the 2004 elections.

This year’s elections have tougher laws and guidelines than
in previous years in an attempt the stamp out vote buying and create a more
level playing field in the race for the city’s top elected positions.

Pattaya hopes to receive special tourism status and gain exemption from new regulations

The new entertainment laws and zoning regulations are
scheduled to come into effect as of March 1. However, there is still much
confusion among business operators as to where the zones are and what will be
the final word from the government on the amended legislation.

Officials at the Banglamung district office announced that
they will begin enforcing the amended legislation, announced on January 13, as
of the first of the month, but there is hope for Thai business operators and
employees to overturn the laws that would otherwise put them out of business and
cause what they predict will be a major drop off in tourism numbers. They could
gain recourse under a clause in the Thai constitution that allows the people to
overturn government legislation with 50,000 signatures on a petition, giving
them 60 days from the date of announcement to act. Whether it comes to that
remains to be seen.

Managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort named honorary consul of Russia

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Thailand, on
behalf of the government of the Russian Federation recently appointed Mrs.
Panga Vathanakul, managing director of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and
PEACH (Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall) as honorary consul of the
Russian Federation in Thailand in recognition of her exceptional
contribution to the development of economic and cultural ties between
Thailand and Russia.

Valentine’s Day ‘Ball of the Roses’ symbolising love for all

Elegant evening organized by Rotarians and YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya

The swimming pool of the Royal Cruise A-One Hotel,
which is build like a ship (the hotel, not the pool), was the scene of the
elegant “Ball of the Roses” organized by the Rotary Club of Taksin
Pattaya in cooperation with the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya.

Sophin Theppajak, managing director of Diana Group
presented a gift to “Sweet Couple” Mr. and Mrs. Nyman Fred Oruar after they
joined in the golf activities held on Valentine Day at Diana Diving Range,
North Pattaya.

Pattaya takes two against the US Navy
in local softball friendly

Pattaya’s Dollhouse/PSC softball team recently had the
opportunity to play against some special visitors, crew of the USS
Blueridge, in town on some R&R. As part of their onshore activities a
friendly softball match was arranged with the navy Hitmen and the marines
aboard the vessel.